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Future Equestrian Commentating Dream Team

This is a little bit of a spin off from the thread on Melanie. I don't want to get into her plusses or minuses though.

I was watching the "live stream" of the show jumping individual finals and started thinking how awesome it would be if the BBC announcer (is it Stephen Hadley?) and Sally O'Connor did all the commentary for future major equestrian events.

I have never heard commentary that is as good, knowledgeable and interesting as that which they both provide. Someone with no knowledge of horse sports can really get the feel and understanding for the sport while those of us who do understand can appreciate their smart commentary and ability to know when to quit talking and just enjoy the really exciting, nail biting parts.

Plus, they really know the riders and the circuits well, so they give color that is interesting and to the point, and they do so in a way that doesn't take you out of the moment.

Last edited by PoohLP; Aug. 10, 2012 at 09:41 AM.
Reason: Edited bc I think I had the British announcer's name wrong.

I loved the British announcer! Equestrian sports have a much better following with the general public in Britain; it's probably much easier to find a knowledgeable horse person AND announcer in one package.

The American announcers were embarrassingly bad, not just from an equestrian standpoint, but from an announcing standpoint (stating incorrect scores and information, repeating information 2 and 3 times in rapid succession). I think it's more of a trend in lowering journalistic and announcing standards than anything that's unique to equestrian spots, unfortunately.

Sorry, I meant to say the NBC Live Extra commentator, not the BBC commentator. For some reason, I thought NBC was using the BBC feed. But I think it was the BBC feed with a different commentator.

Another favorite part was when he said, "If we had time, I'd go into detail about all these amazing jumps, but the jumping is too important." To me, that showed a real appreciation for the efforts of the athletes.

I was watching the "live stream" of the show jumping individual finals and started thinking how awesome it would be if the BBC announcer (is it Stephen Hadley?) and Sally O'Connor did all the commentary for future major equestrian events.

Steve Hadley is outstanding and has been commenting since the mid-80's. He's a former showjumper and team member and what he doesn't know about show jumping isn't worth knowing. He actually was sentrusted with the young Milton after Carolyn Bradley, his owner, by her parents died and started his career.

Eventing- Jimmy Wofford is the obvious choice. I really liked Kerry Millikin the years she did the Rolex live streaming commentary, so for me it would be a toss up between the two of them.

If NBC is committed to only having one equestrian commentator, it needs to be an eventer. An eventer is more likely to be able to comment intelligently & accurately on pure dressage & show jumping than if they had a dressage rider for all 3 or the current arrangement of a show jumper for all 3.

Axel Steiner for dressage - he's a total cheerleader so he keeps it positive but he expects it to be correct. Imagine!

And I loved the British guy on the NBC streaming site. He didn't dumb it down at all (sorry MST but I just don't want to have an 'oxer' explained to me) and he conveyed a total appreciation of the horses.